i want a project (motorcycle)

[Fayd]

though i'm not sure how much of a project i want.

I'm looking to get a motorcycle for putting about town. nothing particularly powerful. in fact, I have access to a 2009 honda CR230L, and that's plenty of power for my purposes. I'm a big guy (260~ lbs), but it gets up to around 60 mph going uphill. that's good enough.

so what i'm really looking for is something I can play with, something I can make mine. what brought this idea on was watching the top gear vietnam special.

I don't have any welding equipment, so parts fabrication is pretty much out. (though, I *can* weld.)

i'm trying to keep it all told under $1000. where would I start looking?

edit: i should mention I've not had any serious projects before. I've done some car maintenance before (clutch replacement, strut replacement, etc) i have access to people with much more experience than me, but i'm hoping to not rely on them too much. so i'm looking for something simple, easy to work with, cheap and easy to get parts for.

 

[manimal]

Something like a cb550 you can cafe up inexpensively with a budget in the low 2ks including bike.

You could try a streetfighter out of a 90s sportbike thats been dropped.

You could go motard with a dr650 or a klr. You could go adventure sport tourer. So many options to customize.

If you have done a clutch on a modern car than you should be able to do any of the above with off the shelf parts.

Did you ever motocross as a kid?

 

[jlee]

Up it to $2k and come get my SV650

 

[JulesMaximus]

Something like a cb550 you can cafe up inexpensively with a budget in the low 2ks including bike.

You could try a streetfighter out of a 90s sportbike thats been dropped.

You could go motard with a dr650 or a klr. You could go adventure sport tourer. So many options to customize.

If you have done a clutch on a modern car than you should be able to do any of the above with off the shelf parts.

Did you ever motocross as a kid?

Good luck finding one.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

With your budget you are probably better off scouring craigslist and making a post on a local bike forum versus picking one particular model.

 

[MiataNC]

Your budget is too small.

A running bike that needs a lot of work will fetch about $500-1000. Tires alone will run you $200-500, and any bike in the $1000 range will most likely need tires, chain/sprockets, paint, upholstery, and a lot of TLC. Bike parts are not cheap, and if you get something that is rare, they may not be available at all.

Save up @$3500. Spend @$2500 on a good running bike that doesn't need a lot of work, and @$1000 on gear and a motorcycle training course.

 

[Fayd]

Your budget is too small.

A running bike that needs a lot of work will fetch about $500-1000. Tires alone will run you $200-500, and any bike in the $1000 range will most likely need tires, chain/sprockets, paint, upholstery, and a lot of TLC. Bike parts are not cheap, and if you get something that is rare, they may not be available at all.

Save up @$3500. Spend @$2500 on a good running bike that doesn't need a lot of work, and @$1000 on gear and a motorcycle training course.

i already have gear. i'm not looking for a motocross bike or a street performer. just a toy to put around town. and the motorcycle safety course is around $300, gets me a break on insurance, and it's good enough.

@manimal: no, i never did motocross. I do know how to ride a motorcycle, i do know basic clutching on a bike, but i wouldn't say it's second nature to me. i've ridden a quad offroad. it had a 450cc engine, so it was a bit more forgiving in terms of power band.

 

[Zargon]

Good luck finding one.

early cb's arent exactly rare, atleast not in the midwest

With your budget you are probably better off scouring craigslist and making a post on a local bike forum versus picking one particular model.

this, check CL for anything under a grand, you will find a gem eventually. thats how I bought about half my bikes

heres after a whole minute on my local CL

Your budget is too small.

A running bike that needs a lot of work will fetch about $500-1000. Tires alone will run you $200-500, and any bike in the $1000 range will most likely need tires, chain/sprockets, paint, upholstery, and a lot of TLC. Bike parts are not cheap, and if you get something that is rare, they may not be available at all.

Save up @$3500. Spend @$2500 on a good running bike that doesn't need a lot of work, and @$1000 on gear and a motorcycle training course.

depends on the bikes and location, I drove to STL and picked up a running FZR 600 from a guy for 300 bucks

it was purchased as not really running, but he didnt notice the carbs werent sealed well with the intake side of the engine so it would start and then die when rev'd......

 

[MiataNC]

depends on the bikes and location, I drove to STL and picked up a running FZR 600 from a guy for 300 bucks

it was purchased as not really running, but he didnt notice the carbs werent sealed well with the intake side of the engine so it would start and then die when rev'd......

Based on what he posted, I doubt Fayd has the skills or knowledge to know whether or not a "cheap" bike was easily repairable or a money pit.

 

[jessieqwert]

just buy any Ducati

 

[Fenixgoon]

any UJM - 1970's/80's japanese bikes. the suzuki GS series are particularly stout and you can find them for ~$1000

 

[manimal]

i already have gear. i'm not looking for a motocross bike or a street performer. just a toy to put around town. and the motorcycle safety course is around $300, gets me a break on insurance, and it's good enough.

@manimal: no, i never did motocross. I do know how to ride a motorcycle, i do know basic clutching on a bike, but i wouldn't say it's second nature to me. i've ridden a quad offroad. it had a 450cc engine, so it was a bit more forgiving in terms of power band.

Reason I asked about motocross is dual sports these days perform better some the early 80s factory stuff. A drz400 with some mods is a BEAST. You could always be a tire flip away from going where the tarmac doesnt live.

SVs are cheap. You could find a 500ex and put around while upgrading. How about something interesting like a old hawk 650 single or a 600 transalp. They will be old enought that they will need work and can be modded on the cheap.

 

[Fayd]

Reason I asked about motocross is dual sports these days perform better some the early 80s factory stuff. A drz400 with some mods is a BEAST. You could always be a tire flip away from going where the tarmac doesnt live.

SVs are cheap. You could find a 500ex and put around while upgrading. How about something interesting like a old hawk 650 single or a 600 transalp. They will be old enought that they will need work and can be modded on the cheap.

well, like i said, I already have access to a honda CR230L. it's a road legal, dedicated off-road bike. i don't need or want an off-road bike.

as far as the hawk goes, it's a decent looking bike, but too hard to find. as of now, there's none available on ebay, and the only one i see on CL is 3k. at that price, i'll sink another k or 2, find myself an old triumph or BSA basketcase and build a showroom bike.

i just want a cheap toy for putting around town.

 

[Fayd]

saw a couple interesting ideas browsing CL:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/2916779084.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/2903521976.html

of course, i'm not looking for something as big or as powerful as a 750. (aside from other knocks, like i'd have to replace the forks. i hate lengthened forks) would be more interested at 450-550, but was just something interesting.

 

[arrfep]

$1000 is plenty of money if you're patient. You're at a disadvantage with it being the dawn of spring, though. Couple months back you would have had lots more luck.

Anyway, stay away from the trendy bikes, the usual suspects for "cafe racer-ing." That pretty much disqualifies all CBs, sorry. They sell for crazy-inflated prices.

Look for any of the other big 3, a Kawasaki KZxxx, Yamaha XS or Suzuki...whatever Suzuki's UJM was. I'd stick with a smaller engine, single or twin. More cylinders + more carbs = more work and parts to buy. Also, try and make sure parts are still available for whatever you buy before you commit to it. It's nigh impossible to get piston rings for a KZ650, so rebuilding an engine will cost more than you might spend on the thing in the first place.

I'd say CL is your best bet, or else model-specific boards.

 

[SpatiallyAware]

saw a couple interesting ideas browsing CL:

http://sandiego.craigslist.org/csd/mcy/2916779084.html
http://sandiego.craigslist.org/nsd/mcy/2903521976.html

of course, i'm not looking for something as big or as powerful as a 750. (aside from other knocks, like i'd have to replace the forks. i hate lengthened forks) would be more interested at 450-550, but was just something interesting.

I like the GS but I would want to see some pics. They "fall well" IE it's rare to see one with a bent frame, but the tanks are really thin and prone to rust.


A GS500 is a great fixxer-upper type bike, but do post some close-up pics so we can pick apart every little detail before you buy it :thumbsup::thumbsup: